Rob Walker used that type of Commer , so did Scirocco and Emeryson I believe. Another possible user could have been Peter Berry Racing Ltd. but I have no pictures of that.

Turns out that the Commer belongs to the poster's father, and was used to transport (at various times) an Allard and a C-Type Jaguar. It was parked up in 71/72 when the owner retired from racing. For Arttidesco's interest there is a fuller reply from the OP on the PH forum. He seems happy to accept PMs if you need to know more.

I hope I haven't offended anyone, I was a bit tired last night. It has ocurred to me that only Pistonheads members will be able to send Personal Messages, and I am more than willing to act as a go-between if necessary. I will now gracefully retire into the shadows.. exit stage left.

nicanary , when you have finished resting in the shadows , please get back on stage , I'd like to take up your offer for of connecting for help. I'd like to know anything on this Commer like : When his father got it , and from whom etc.

nicanary , when you have finished resting in the shadows , please get back on stage , I'd like to take up your offer for of connecting for help. I'd like to know anything on this Commer like : When his father got it , and from whom etc.

I received an e-mail from the son yesterday, but was going to wait until he had contacted his dad for more info on dates. Meanwhile I can tell you that he believes it was converted from an ice-cream delivery truck (wholesale I would imagine, rather than a dispensing van), and has channels for the car over the wheel-arches, and the loading ramps fitted under these. The body is mainly alloy, and therefore in reasonable nick, but the rear valance is steel, and has rotted. The roof is fabric over plywood, and as you can imagine, there's not much left. He believes that the engine could be made to run with only a minimum of work.

The history we have ascertained so far suggests that it probably does not have great historical significance, but it's interesting all the same. It's far too early to enquire whether dad would sell IMO. The practicality of using an old truck for historic meetings has been discussed on this thread before - it'll look nice in the paddock, but who wants to drive 100 miles at 40 mph? (I'm reading Tony Robinson's biography at the moment, and apparently the Bruce Halford coach had higher gearing than usual for such a vehicle, but still maxed-out at 38 mph!

I received an e-mail from the son yesterday, but was going to wait until he had contacted his dad for more info on dates. Meanwhile I can tell you that he believes it was converted from an ice-cream delivery truck (wholesale I would imagine, rather than a dispensing van), and has channels for the car over the wheel-arches, and the loading ramps fitted under these. The body is mainly alloy, and therefore in reasonable nick, but the rear valance is steel, and has rotted. The roof is fabric over plywood, and as you can imagine, there's not much left. He believes that the engine could be made to run with only a minimum of work.

The history we have ascertained so far suggests that it probably does not have great historical significance, but it's interesting all the same. It's far too early to enquire whether dad would sell IMO. The practicality of using an old truck for historic meetings has been discussed on this thread before - it'll look nice in the paddock, but who wants to drive 100 miles at 40 mph? (I'm reading Tony Robinson's biography at the moment, and apparently the Bruce Halford coach had higher gearing than usual for such a vehicle, but still maxed-out at 38 mph!

I was wondering how the Mercedes Benz Lo 2570 and Auto Union Büssing Typ 300 trucks made it to Goodwood, that could be a very slow 500 plus miles they drove and presumably they would not have used motorway's and autobahns because they would have struggled to reach the minimum speed restrictions.

Yep, the Bowdens now have the Moff transporter, but I'd forgotten that Norm Bolitho had it after Chris Clearihan. The transporter he used after the ACCO may interest a few if they haven't seen it before. I saw it in the flesh at the Island a few years ago and it looked pretty schmick....

Yep, the Bowdens now have the Moff transporter, but I'd forgotten that Norm Bolitho had it after Chris Clearihan. The transporter he used after the ACCO may interest a few if they haven't seen it before. I saw it in the flesh at the Island a few years ago and it looked pretty schmick....

Rob Walker used that type of Commer , so did Scirocco and Emeryson I believe. Another possible user could have been Peter Berry Racing Ltd. but I have no pictures of that.

On the basis that it is a Commer Superpoise, it is worth noting that early Lotus single seater entrant John Fisher from Portsmouth also ran such a vehicle, so its provenence could be significant. It is advertised for sale in Autosport 30.9.1960Roger Lund

On the basis that it is a Commer Superpoise, it is worth noting that early Lotus single seater entrant John Fisher from Portsmouth also ran such a vehicle, so its provenence could be significant. It is advertised for sale in Autosport 30.9.1960Roger Lund

I have not yet heard back from my original source, but it is indeed a Superpoise. And my source, one Max Croot, resides on the South Coast. Interesting.

(As an aside, his profile on PH informs us that he is European Tarmac Drag-Racing Snowmobile Champion 1000cc... gosh. Shades od GV!)

Brimen : http://forums.autosp...w...107830&st=0The car was build by the Thompson Bros. in conjunction with Leyland. It was a 4 axle with a Leyland 12 litre engine and entrance at the front. (And a hatch in the roof for escape.).It was ready and shown at the Earls Court 1960 and supposed to havew gone to work in diverse places , among them Denmark . If that happened I do not know , but it was seen at the Belgian GP in 1961..

On the basis that it is a Commer Superpoise, it is worth noting that early Lotus single seater entrant John Fisher from Portsmouth also ran such a vehicle, so its provenence could be significant. It is advertised for sale in Autosport 30.9.1960Roger Lund

Not having heard from Max Croot for a couple of weeks, I have just e-mailed him for an update, stressing that the Forum does not wish to appear to be intrusive. I have suggested to him that if I do not hear from him within 48 hrs, I will assume that it is in order to publish his contact details for the use of forum members.

It does seem from what he claims that the Commer is eminently restorable.

Not having heard from Max Croot for a couple of weeks, I have just e-mailed him for an update, stressing that the Forum does not wish to appear to be intrusive. I have suggested to him that if I do not hear from him within 48 hrs, I will assume that it is in order to publish his contact details for the use of forum members.

It does seem from what he claims that the Commer is eminently restorable.

Whilst I applaud your enthusiasm, might I suggest publishing anyone's contact details on a forum is never a good idea

Meanwhile here is an old favorite left hooker on the streets of it's home town on Sunday.

A newspaper maybe ,but what newspaper? and there are too many differences beetween the sizes of the transporters and the cars foreground,it seems like if two parts have been joined . this picture was shot in 2007 not1970 . Probably a photoshop ,if you want I can add a forth transporter in that picture .

Dear Tarpon, I just got number 122, the May 1973 issue of the Porsche magazine Christophorus. On page 5 you can find an arial view of the new Porsche Weissach test center - nearly the same picture with a slightly other section with all the three transporters and both the LP 608. Take a look if you can. I doubt that Porsche used fotoshop in 1973. Hopefully the end of all your far fetched conspiracy theories.

I have just received an e-mail from Max Croot concerning the mystery transporter stored on his father's farm. It was constructed by Lee Brothers of Bournemouth on the Commer chassis for use in the retail delivery trade, and was subsequently sold back to them, possibly in part-exchange for a new vehicle.

Brian Croot, who is indeed the father of my correspondent, bought the Commer from Lee Bros. in 1960, and converted it himself for use in transporting his car/s. His last race was at Crystal Palace in 1972, and it is believed the truck has not moved for about 35 years. What I didn't know, but I'm sure some TNF members will, is that the "Allard" referred to was Tommy Sopwith's Sphinx sports-racer, re-engined by Brian Croot with a Jaguar motor. Interesting. Is it still about?

I assume by Allard you mean the Sopwith Sphinx. This originally had an Armstrong Siddeley 3.4 litre six cylinder engine with triple Webber carbs, pre-select gearbox, body work by Abbey Panels and Allard chassis. In its day it was quick but suffered from lack of development, Tommy Sopwith sold it without its engine and it was rebuilt with a Jaguar motor. About ten years ago it was thought to be in France.

[quote name='Leigh Trevail' date='Oct 27 2012, 15:57' post='5991017']
I assume by Allard you mean the Sopwith Sphinx. This originally had an Armstrong Siddeley 3.4 litre six cylinder engine with triple Webber carbs, pre-select gearbox, body work by Abbey Panels and Allard chassis. In its day it was quick but suffered from lack of development, Tommy Sopwith sold it without its engine and it was rebuilt with a Jaguar motor. About ten years ago it was thought to be in France.

Yep. Max Croot had originally said that his dad had raced an Allard, but when I heard it was the Tommy Sopwith car I use inverted commas for the Allard title. Still, an interesting piece of history, and I'd love to see it at the Revival in the 50s sports-car race. Maybe it's in one of those obscure French museums that seem to crop up in places we don't expect.

What a world , if first you enter the internet , it is not only the Secret Service or CIA or FBI or...........its all who can spy on you. I'll take my coat and go for a walk with my daughters dog ! Don't put Google on me ! Ha-ha!